Weapon for the ages
AutoTrader Bikes is proud to welcome our first long-term motorcycle test unit, the Suzuki Katana. The Katana is a legendary machine in the motorcycle world and represented many a first for the Japanese brand and the industry at large.
Related: Suzuki Katana (2023) Review
The Katana was revolutionary when it was first released in 1981 and was such a departure from the styling at the time that many industry pundits did not think that its futuristic lines and design would catch on.
The Katana, however, proved everyone wrong and it went on to become the legend that it is today, taking the crown of fastest production motorcycle in 1981 with a top speed of 237km/h which was mind-blowing at the time. The design of the Katana was also a major change-up for Suzuki as it was the first time that the company had outsourced its design.
The German company Target was charged with coming up with a radical and fluid composition that would take the brand into a new decade. Before starting Target Designs, chief designer Hans Muth had recently, rather successfully, reinvigorated the BMW boxer.
The Katana went on to become a worldwide success, influencing the windswept silhouettes of modern sports bikes for decades to come and now we have the pleasure of the latest model at our disposal for the foreseeable future.
Out with the old
Over the next few weeks, we will be doing some social media content as well as a full review video along with a few ownership pieces to see what living with a Katana is really like.
If there is anything you want to know or see us do with the Katana let us know in the comments or drop us a mail and we’ll see what we can do!
